Ebay Love: my new bubble necklace

I read a lot of blogs, one of my DIY favorites House of Fifty shared an awesome Ebay find and had to check it out.    The bubble statement necklace is available over at J crew for $150.00.  But you can also get the exact same necklace on Ebay for $14.50.  It comes in 8 colors too.  Get yours now before they are all gone.

Craft Lab: painting the family jewels

I've wanted to try out painting with nail polish for a while now. 

Personal I don't wear nail polish, I can not keep a manicure looking good, so I've just given up. 

But I have a 9 year old who loves to paint her nails. 

So for her birthday, I hit up Target and picked out a bunch of random colors. 

I have a ton of costume jewelry. In a former life I used to wear it everyday.

 I picked a few pieces I do not like anymore, or if they got messed up i wouldn't care. 

Here my first piece with 1 coat of polish.  I don't love it.  It's probably the orange. 

 I'm going to add another coat or two and maybe change the colors too. 

Stay Tuned!

My first try!

I truly believe that you can attract the things you want from life to yourself.  Kinda like The Secret.  Last year I was examining my life, and needed a little direction.  In my little Etsy shop, I've been to selling jewelry the best.  So, I decided I need to make more jewelry.  I've been making jewelry since high school and still have lots of supplies.  Plus, I have a large hoard of vintage costume jewelry.  So the idea was to make some cool new pieces using my old vintage stuff and making it into something new.  Well, life had another plan.  A dear friend gave me a very large collection of loose semi-precious stones.  Another dear friend offered to teach me a little metalsmithing.  Here, I am today showing you my first piece.  It's a simple bezel set large opal ring. Currently, I have such a long list of things I need to do before I clear off my workbench so I get back into making new pieces.   I'm excited to start a new hobby.  Maybe I'll make some money too!  

New in My Life

These lovely precious stones have made their way in to my life.  Hopefully, by the end of the summer, I will have learned some metal-smithing, and can make jewelry.  

Spring Nesting

I have a very large jewelry collection. It's too much and I seriously can't part with any of it. I'm a hoarder when it comes to jewelry.   Over the years I have been given or inherited as many lovely things.  This is just some of my baubles.  What a mess!

Before

After

I sorted everything and put my fancy stuff back into my big jewelry box.  Now, all my beaded necklaces and non bangle bracelets are sorted. I did manage to weed a little bit out and put the "outs" in the jewelry making bin in the garage.  Now, I can see all my bangles...I think I could even put more in there!   

You see I'm hosting a Stella and Dot party in a few weeks and think I may need some space.   I love this stylish line, they mix vintage and modern together quite nicely.  

I really want the bracelet on the bottom of this stack.  Oh and the gold bangle too! 

Craft 52 week 11: Hex Bracelet

Craft 52

week 11

Hex Bracelet

My friends and I whipped these up in the mountains this weekend.  I love a group craft.  One person might be lacking in skills and another masters it and will lend a hand.  These are pretty easy to make and I can't wait to make some more with leather instead of rope.  Here is the tutorial, and some tips.

The supplies.  Rope and brace nuts.

Hex wrap bracelet on my wrist. 

Here's all our creations!

Craft 52 week 9: Dollar Store Earring Redo #2

Craft 52

week 9:

Dollar Store Earring Redo #2

I took some big white wood earrings, a black Sharpie and a gold Sharpie paint pen to make these animal print earrings.  Super easy and fast.

I was inspired by this post over at  PS, I made this.

This Les Touches fabric DIY over at Little Green Notebook looked like fun and easy.  I had to try some sharpie art out!

Craft Lab: felted choker

I had so much fun making this felted ball choker for one of my best friends' birthday. I thought it would be the perfect winter accessory. For some reason I couldn't get a great shot of it, so here's my best blurry photo.

Craft Lab: Fabric covered Bangles

In progress, bangles covered in fabric. So easy, a little messy, really fun to make. I picked up these vintage bangles at our local thrift stores. Cut the fabric in to strips a little wider than the bracelet, applied glue on bracelet, after it dries, trim the edge with cuticle scissors. Then, keep applying the Mod Podge coat after coat. I also do a wet sanding, to smooth out the finish a bit.